The College of Charleston Political Science Department held its 9th annual Model United Nations on November 7-8. Over 130 students from a variety of academic departments participated in the event. Each student served as a delegate representing one of 44 member states. Students were assigned to four different committees: Drones in Peacekeeping Missions, Pandemic Containment, Global Trade in Arms, and Sovereign Resources and Territory. The event was organized by Dr. Max Kovalov, adjunct professor in the department, as well as students in his Model United Nations class. Student leaders from Dr. Kovalov’s class were Raven Ackerman, Claire Bjerke, Nicholas Catherall, Tristan Fletcher, Devon Fray, Roberto Jones, and John-Anthony Thevos.
Following the on-campus event, students from Dr. Kovalov’s class also participated in the Southern Regional Model United Nations in Atlanta on November 20-22. Our students represented Qatar at this event and performed extremely well. Our students in the League of Arab States committee received a perfect score on their position papers and were recognized for their diplomacy, negotiation skills, and knowledge of global issues.
According to Dr. Kovalov, “Model UN gives students the opportunity to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to real-world events, to think outside the box and seek unconventional solutions to complex problems. Model UN also helps students get a better understanding of who they are and what they want to do with their lives. Students get a variety of useful skills regardless of whether their future lies in a non-profit, public, or private sector.”
Dr. Gibbs Knotts, Chair of the Political Science Department, agrees. “I am very thankful to Dr. Kovalov, the student leaders, and all of the student participants. The Model UN program is one of our best examples of high impact learning.”